When Kylian Mbappé joined Real Madrid, expectations were sky-high. The French superstar arrived not only as one of the most talented players of his generation but also as a symbol of the club’s future. Since then, he has wasted no time in justifying both his price tag and the excitement of fans around the world. In the 2024 Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican side Pachuca, Mbappé delivered once again on the big stage.
Real Madrid triumphed 3-0, and it was Mbappé who played a decisive role by scoring one of the goals and providing an assist. His performance secured him a place in the club’s history books by achieving something that only two other Los Blancos stars have managed in the last decade: scoring in each of his first two finals for the team. According to Opta Sport, the only other players to do so in the modern era are Gareth Bale in 2014 and Marco Asensio in 2017. Now, Mbappé joins that exclusive list, underscoring his ability to deliver when it matters most.
Mbappé has long been known for his composure in decisive matches. From his breakout at the 2018 World Cup with France to his crucial goals for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, the forward has built a reputation as a player who thrives on the biggest stages. At Real Madrid, that reputation has only grown stronger. His first opportunity to shine came in the UEFA Super Cup, where he scored and made his mark immediately. Following that up with another standout performance in the Intercontinental Cup shows that Mbappé doesn’t just perform in routine matches—he saves his best for finals, the moments when pressure and history collide.
The French forward’s goal and assist against Pachuca demonstrated not only his attacking instincts but also his maturity in linking up with teammates and creating chances. Fans at the Santiago Bernabéu and around the world have quickly come to see him as a player capable of carrying Real Madrid’s attacking line for years to come.To put Mbappé’s record into context, it’s important to look at the achievements of the two players who preceded him: Gareth Bale (2014): The Welshman made headlines by scoring decisive goals in finals almost immediately after arriving at Madrid. His stunning solo goal in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona and his extra-time header in the Champions League final against Atlético Madrid secured his legacy early on. Bale’s ability to deliver in crunch moments cemented his reputation as a player for the biggest games.
Marco Asensio (2017): The Spanish midfielder quickly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in Europe by scoring in two finals during his breakthrough year. His goals in the UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup not only showcased his technical quality but also highlighted Madrid’s faith in their young academy product.
By matching these achievements, Mbappé demonstrates that he is not only a global superstar but also a player tailor-made for Madrid’s unique culture of winning finals. This ability to immediately adapt and thrive is what separates good signings from true legends in the making.Beyond his performances in finals, Mbappé’s statistics for the 2024/25 season also highlight his influence. In just 23 matches across all competitions, he has already scored 13 goals and provided three assists. These numbers underline his consistency and his ability to combine goal-scoring with creative playmaking.
But perhaps more importantly, his performances have reignited Real Madrid’s aura as the most feared club in Europe. With veterans like Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos passing the torch to a new generation led by Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham, Madrid is positioning itself to dominate not only domestically but also in Europe for years to come. Mbappé’s ability to score in finals is symbolic of his mentality.
At Real Madrid, players are judged not only by their week-to-week performances but by what they do in decisive matches. If Mbappé continues on this trajectory, he could easily follow in the footsteps of club icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Raúl, and Alfredo Di Stéfano, all of whom built their legacies on unforgettable moments in the biggest games.Kylian Mbappé’s start at Real Madrid could hardly have gone better. By scoring in his first two finals for the club, he has already equaled the rare achievements of Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio, placing himself in elite company. His decisive goal and assist against Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup not only delivered silverware but also showed the world that Mbappé has embraced the weight of the Madrid shirt.
